Efficient employee scheduling is a critical component of effective workforce management. Challenges such as time-consuming schedule creation, communication gaps, and managing shift changes can significantly impact productivity and labor costs.
To address these issues, specialized scheduling software like When I Work and Sling offer comprehensive solutions designed to streamline operations. While both software are quite similar in many ways, there are a few important differences that pivot them towards different audiences.
In this article, we will compare both platforms, examining their features and benefits to help you determine which best suits your organization's needs.
When I Work Vs Sling: At A Glance
Features
When I Work
Sling
Employee Scheduling
Offers an automated employee scheduling system for hourly workers
Provides a flexible employee scheduling solution tailored towards labor management
Time Tracking
Provides managers with access to real-time data, allowing them to monitor employees
Gives managers the ability to track overtime and monitor labor costs
Communication
Supports one-on-one chats, group messaging, and broadcast announcements
Includes a newsfeed, multimedia messaging, private and group messaging
Pricing
Pricing starts at $2.5/user/month
Free version included
What Is When I Work
When I Work is an employee scheduling and time-tracking software designed to streamline workforce management for businesses of all sizes. It offers a suite of features, including intuitive scheduling, integrated time tracking, and team messaging, all accessible via desktop and mobile applications.
When I Work primarily caters to small and mid-sized businesses with hourly employees. However, its scalable design and automation features also make it suitable for larger organizations looking to optimize labor costs and minimize scheduling conflicts.
Unique When I Work Features
Auto Scheduling Tool: Automatically fills open shifts based on employee availability, roles, and labor rules, thus saving time for managers
SAML/SSO Integration: Supports enterprise-level authentication systems like SAML and single sign-on
When I Work Pros And Cons
Pros:
Excellent customer service with responsive support staff
User-friendly interface simplifies scheduling for managers
Streamlined scheduling that enhances productivity
Cons:
Some users report the existence of a few bugs
Limited options for certain business needs such as documentation
What Is Sling?
Sling is an extensive workforce management platform designed to streamline operations for businesses across various industries. It offers a suite of tools including shift scheduling, time tracking, labor cost management, task delegation, and internal communication, all accessible via web and mobile applications.
Sling caters to a diverse range of industries such as retail, restaurants, hospitality, healthcare, education, non-profits, etc. The platform's flexibility and user-friendly interface allow managers to create and adjust schedules efficiently, while employees can easily access their shifts, request time off, and communicate with their teams.
Unique Sling Features
Newsfeed For Company-Wide Announcements: Sling includes a centralized newsfeed to share updates, events, or announcements with the whole team
Kiosk Mode For Time Clock: Offers a shared kiosk mode for clocking in/out on-site
Sling Pros And Cons
Pros:
The notification feature helps keep employees on track
Its scheduling solution is suitable for small or large businesses
When I Work offers an automated employee scheduling system designed to streamline shift management for businesses with hourly workers. To this end, it provides an Auto Scheduling tool that assigns shifts based on employee availability and qualifications. On top of that, its intuitive interface allows managers to create schedules swiftly using features like drag-and-drop functionality and reusable templates.
Since the platform supports real-time communication, it enables instant notifications for shift changes and facilitates shift swaps among employees. Furthermore, When I Work provides tools for managing time-off requests, tracking labor costs, and ensuring compliance with labor regulations, making it a comprehensive solution for workforce scheduling needs.
Conversely, Sling delivers a flexible employee scheduling solution tailored for businesses aiming to optimize labor management. It offers smart alerts for overlapping shifts and budget warnings, making it a better fit for managers who prefer a hands-on, detail-oriented approach to scheduling. It also supports long-term scheduling and encourages employee autonomy with flexible shift swapping, availability tracking, and time-off management.
Like When I Work, Sling also has a user-friendly design that features a drag-and-drop scheduler, customizable shift templates, and the ability to create schedules weeks or months in advance. Managers can also view, update and manage staff schedules from anywhere, providing greater flexibility for the business.
Winner: It’s a tie—managers looking for more automation will find When I Work more suited to their needs. However, if they’re looking for a software that offers more control, as well as scheduling conflict tools, they’re better off with Sling.
Time Tracking
When I Work offers a versatile time tracking solution designed to streamline attendance management and payroll. Employees can clock in and out using any internet-connected device, including smartphones, tablets, or computers, eliminating the need for traditional timekeeping hardware.
The platform supports GPS-based geofencing to ensure employees are within designated work locations when clocking in, reducing instances of time theft. Managers can effortlessly access real-time attendance data, track employee breaks, and handle time-off requests with ease. Additionally, the system integrates with various payroll services, facilitating accurate and efficient payroll processing.
Similarly, Sling provides a comprehensive time tracking feature that allows employees to clock in and out via mobile devices or designated kiosks. The system also includes GPS geofencing to verify employee locations during clock-ins, ensuring accountability and reducing time fraud.
Sling's time clock app also offers functionalities such as clock-in/out reminders, break management, and automatic timesheet generation. Managers can monitor labor costs in real-time, track overtime, and export timesheets directly to payroll systems, streamlining the payroll process.
Winner: Once again, it’s a tie, as both software offer comparable features. Therefore, the choice comes down to the smallest details—managers that want more real-time visibility can go for When I Work. Otherwise, they can go for Sling which offers more overtime control.
Communication
When I Work features a built-in team messaging system designed to streamline communication among managers and employees. The platform supports one-on-one chats, group messaging, and broadcast announcements, enabling teams to stay connected without relying on external communication tools. Messages are delivered in real-time and can include text and images, ensuring that important information is shared promptly.
The system is accessible via both desktop and mobile devices, allowing team members to communicate effectively regardless of their location. Finally, When I Work prioritizes privacy by eliminating the need for sharing personal contact information among staff members.
On the other hand, Sling offers a broader communication suite aimed at enhancing team collaboration and information dissemination. The platform includes private and group messaging, allowing for direct conversations and team discussions. Managers can utilize the newsfeed feature to post updates, announcements, and important information, ensuring visibility across the organization.
Sling also supports multimedia messaging, enabling users to share images and GIFs to enrich communication. The system is designed to keep employees informed and engaged, with functionalities that facilitate communication across various departments and roles.
Winner: Sling wins this category, owing to its communication suite that’s designed for a wider level of engagement.
Pricing
When I Work offers two main pricing tiers with a 14-day free trial available. These two plans are:
Single Location Or Schedule - $2.50/user/month
Multiple Locations And Schedules - $4/user/month
Essential features such as time tracking and scheduling features are included in both tiers. The Multiple Locations tier however, features advanced tools such as custom reporting, global privacy configuration and more.
Likewise, Sling provides a tiered pricing structure:
Free - $0 (for up to 30 users)
Premium - $2/ user/month
Business - $4/user/month
Shift scheduling and time off requests are key features that are included in the free version. The priced version, on the other hand, offers a boatload of features such as kiosk time tracking, reports, overtime tracking, etc. Finally, Sling also offers a 15-day free trial and provides annual billing options with a 15% discount.
Winner: Sling wins this round due to offering more scalable pricing options alongside a free version. However, users looking for more advanced tools may be recommended to go with When I Work instead.
Which One To Choose – When I Work Or Sling?
By now, we can see that When I Work and Sling provide effective solutions for employee scheduling, time tracking, and team communication. However, each caters to different operational needs.
When I Work stands out for businesses that prioritize automation, real-time labor tracking, and tighter scheduling controls—making it a strong choice for fast-paced environments like hospitality and retail.
Sling, meanwhile, appeals to companies seeking budget-friendly, highly customizable tools with a broader focus on communication and labor cost management. Its free plan and structured pricing make it especially suitable for small to mid-sized businesses and non-profits.
Thus, the better fit will depend on your organization's size, budget, and scheduling complexity. However, if neither software is what your company’s looking for, try other alternatives such as Hubstaff or Buddy Punch Time Clock.
